Waste compactor with foot actuated release mechanism

ABSTRACT

A waste compactor comprising a cabinet having an extendible ram mounted adjacent the upper end thereof and a swingable receptacle positionable below the ram assembly. The receptacle is hingedly mounted on the cabinet for horizontal swinging movement between a filling position directly under the ram, and an emptying position spaced outwardly from the cabinet. The hinges connecting the receptacle to the cabinet permit the receptacle, when in the filling position, to rest directly on the cabinet floor to thus transfer the compacting forces directly onto the cabinet. The hinges also prevent the receptacle from being swingably moved away from its filling position. A foot-actuated release device permits the receptacle, when in the filling position, to be lifted upwardly from the cabinet floor, and also releases the hinges to enable the receptacle to be swingably moved into its emptying position.

ilnited States Patent 91 Hennells WASTE COMPACTOR WITH FOOT ACTUATED RELEASE MECHANISM lnventor: Ransom J. Hennells, 614 S.

Evergreen, Plymouth, Mich. 48170 Filed: Mar. 7, 1972 Appl. No.: 232,471

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1913 Waters 3/1927 Emig..... 3/1915 Banzett..... 8/1971 6/1971 Ligh 100/229 X Gray et a1. 100/229 X [4s] Aug. 28, 1973 Primary Examiner-Bil1y J. Wilhite Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn 57] ABSTRACT A waste compactor comprising a cabinet having an extendible ram mounted adjacent the upper end thereof and a swingable receptacle positionable below the ram assembly. The receptacle is hingedly mounted on the cabinet for horizontal swinging movement between a filling position directly under the ram, and an emptying position spaced outwardly from the cabinet. The hinges connecting the receptacle to the cabinet permit the receptacle, when in the filling position, to rest directly on the cabinet floor to thus transfer the compacting forces directly onto the cabinet. The hinges also prevent the receptacle from being swingably moved'away from its filling position. A foot-actuated release device permits the receptacle, when in the filling position, to be lifted upwardly from the cabinet floor, and also releases the hinges to enable the receptacle to be swingably moved into its emptying position.

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 28 I915 SHEET 2 BF 3 ikz 1 WASTE COMPACTOR WITH FOOT ACTUATED RELEASE MECHANISM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to the following copending applications Ser. Nos.: 874 940, filed Nov. 7, 1969; 161 739, filed July 12, 1971; 232,472, filed Mar. 7, 1972.

FlELDOF THE INVENTION lease of the receptacle to facilitate its free swinging movement into the unloading position when emptying of the receptacle is desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement in the compacting device disclosed in copending Application Serial Nos. 874,940, 161,739 and 232,472. While the compacting device of the present invention possesses all of the structural and operational advantages of the machine disclosed in the copending applications, nevertheless the present invention possesses still further operational advantages which result in the machine operating in a more desirable manner. I

The copending applications disclosed therein a small, lightweight waste compacting device which isparticularly suitable for restaurants, cafeterias, schools, factories, office buildings, hospitals, apartment buildings and the like, which device is able to easily and efficiently compact waste, such aspaper, glass and'plastic articles and other compressible products, into disposable containers or bags. The compacting device in-- 4 cludes a separable drumlike receptacle adaptedto have a'suitable container, such as a disposable plastic bag, supported therein with the receptacle being positionable under a reciprocating ram assembly for permitting the waste to be compacted into the bag.

The compacting device disclosed in the-priorapplications, as briefly described above, has proven very successful but, in a continuing effort toimprovesame, said certain additional features have been developed which provide substantially improvedoperation.

Particularly, it has beendiscovered? that the user of the compacting device often positions the device on a relatively uneven or nonhorizontalLsupportsurface and does not utilize the adjustable leveling legs: to support the device .in a substantially level condition. This unlevel positioning of the compactor device is sometimes sufficient to cause atleast a small distortion of thecabinet, which may prevent proper swinging movement of the receptacle assembly. For example, when the compactor device is not properly leveled, the distortionof the cabinet may result in the cabinetfloorbeingdistorted relative to the sidewalls on whichthe receptacle assembly is hingedly supported. Accordingly, this relative distortion may'cause the bottom wall ofthe receptacle assembly to engage the cabinet floor before the receptacle can be-fully swungintoits-loading position,- thereby preventing the receptacle'from being, properly positioned under the ram. Alternately, in some situations the distortion occurs in a reverse manner so that the receptacle assembly, when swung into its loading position, does not seat against the floor of the cabinet. This latter situation is undesirable since the compacting forces imposed on the receptacle assembly are then transferred to the hinges, rather than directly onto the cabinet floor. Also, this latter positional arrangement enables the receptacle assembly to he accidentally swung outwardly from beneath the ram.

A further, though minor, problem associated with the prior compacting device has been the wear of the cabinet floor which occurs due to the swinging of the receptacle assembly. The prior compacting device utilized cammed hinges for causing the receptacle assembly to be simultaneously cammed upwardly in response to horizontal swinging movement of the receptacle from its loading to its unloading position. Thus, the initial swinging movement of the receptacle assembly away from its loading position has generally resulted in the bottom wall of the swingable receptacle platform slidingon the cabinet floor, which sliding causes undesirable wear and scratching of the cabinet floor. This thus causes the cabinet floor to have a rather unsightly appearance, and in some situations can also make cleaning of the cabinet more difficult. This sliding movement of the swingable platform on the floor, when the platform is positioned near or in the loading position, also makes the precise positioning of the swingable receptacle in the loading position extremely difficult since, as explained above, this precise position can be reached only by insuring that the compacting device is properly leveled and by providing the device with accurately machined cammed hinges. Accordingly, the present invention relates to an improved compacting device which is provided with an improved hinge structure coacting between the swing able receptacle and the cabinet, which hinge structure positively locks the swingable receptacle in its loading position while always insuring that the receptacle will seat on the cabinet floor. The compacting device also has a releasemeans associated with the receptacle for initially moving the receptacle vertically upwardly away from the cabinet floor when it is in its loading position, thereby releasing the locking hinges to permit the receptacle to be freely swingably moved into its unloading position. The improved compactor of the present invention thus possesses structure for overcoming the above-mentioned problems, I

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide:

1. An improved compacting device having a swingable receptacle which is substantially horizontally movable between a loading and an unloading position, and wherein the receptacle is swingably mounted and supportedby suitable structure for positively insuring'that the receptacle, when in its loading position, will positively seaton the cabinet floor even though the compacting device has not been perfectly leveled.

2'. A device, as aforesaid, wherein the swingable receptacle assembly is mounted on the cabinet by an improved hinge structure which permits at least limited.

vertical movement of the receptacle assembly when same is in its loading position to insure seating of the receptacle assembly on the cabinet floor.

3; A device, as aforesaid, wherein the hinge structure positively prevents swinging movement of the receptacle assembly when same is in its loading position and is seated on the cabinet floor.

4. A device, as aforesaid, wherein a release device is associated with the swingable receptacle assembly for permitting same to be easily moved upwardly away from the cabinet floor to thus release the locking hinges and permit the receptacle assembly to be easily swung into its unloading position.

5. A device, as aforesaid, wherein the release mechanism is foot-actuated and includes a lever device coacting between the swingable receptacle assembly and the cabinet floor to permit the receptacle assembly to be easily moved upwardly, even when loaded with waste.

6. A device, as aforesaid, wherein the hinge structure can be manufactured and assembled in a more economical and efficient manner.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with devices of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a two-station waste compactor constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the lower front corner of the waste compactor and illustrating therein the improved hinge structure and foot-actuated release device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevational view taken substantially along the line lV-IV of FIG. 3 and illustrating the swingable receptacle in its loading position wherein it is seated on the cabinet floor.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating therein the foot-actuated release device in its actuated position whereby the receptacle is spaced upwardly from the cabinet floor, thereby permitting the receptacle to be swingably moved into its unloading position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in cross-section, as taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in cross-section, as taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but illustrating therein the position of the hinge structure after the receptacle assembly has been swingably moved away from its loading position and after the external force imposed on the release mechanism has been removed.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line X-X of FIG. 7.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words upwardly," downwardly," rightwardly" and leftwardly will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inwardly and outwardly will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a compacting device having a cabinet which supports adjacent the bottom thereof a receptacle or bag-holding device, which receptacle is po sitioned below a reciprocable ram assembly having a compacting shoe thereon. The receptacle is mounted on the cabinet for horizontal swinging movement between a filling position disposed directly below the ram assembly and an unloading position spaced outwardly from beneath the ram assembly.

The swingable receptacle is connected to the cabinet by hinge structure which maintains the receptacle spaced upwardly from the cabinet floor to permit free swinging movement between the filling and unloading positions, which hinge structure also permits the receptacle to move vertically downwardly into seating engagement with the cabinet floor when the platform is positioned below the ram assembly. The compression loads imposed on the receptacle by the ram are thus transferred directly to the cabinet floor. The hinge structure also includes suitable lock structure which prevents the receptacle, when seated on the cabinet floor, from being swingably moved outwardly of the cabinet without first lifting the receptacle upwardly away from the cabinet floor. For this purpose, the hinge structure is provided, in the preferred embodiment, with coacting rotatable and stationary hinge elements having opposed stepped portions which overlap to prevent rotation of the receptacle when same is seated on the cabinet floor, which stepped portions also slidably bear on one another to permit swinging of the receptacle platform. A release mechanism, preferably a footactuated pedal mechanism, is associated with the receptacle to permit it to be moved vertically upwardly away from the cabinet floor when the receptacle is to be swingably moved into its unloading position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

FIG. 1 illustrates therein a two-station compacting device 10 which includes a housing or cabinet 1 I having a pair of waste receptacle assemblies 12 and 13 positionable in side-by-side relation. A waste receiving hopper 14 is mounted on the cabinet 11 directly above the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13. A pair of extendible ram assemblies 16 and 17 are mounted in substantial alignment with the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13, respectively, for compressing the waste into suitable bags or containers positioned within the receptacle assemblies. A self-contained fluid pressure actuating system (not shown), as illustrated in copending application Ser. No. 232,472, is mounted adjacent the upper end of the cabinet 11 for causing downward extension of the ram assemblies 16 and 17. While FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the receptacle assembly 12 positioned in an outward unloading position, the assembly 12 is normally positioned inwardly within the cabinet (as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2) directly beneath the ram assembly 16.

The cabinet 11 comprises a top wall 21, a substantially horizontal bottom wall or floor 22, a rear wall 23 and opposed substantially parallel sidewalls 24 and 26. The floor 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a portion 22A which projects forwardly beyond the sidewalls. The front of the cabinet is substantially open except for a front panel 27 disposed adjacent the top of the cabinet 11. The cabinet 11 is preferably provided with casters 28 to permit the compactor to be selectively positioned or moved about as desired. The cabinet is also preferably provided with manually adjustable leveling legs 29 for permitting the device to be properly positioned in a level orientation.

The bottom of the cabinet 11 defines'a forwardly opening storage space 31 adapted to receive therein the movable receptacle assemblies 12 and 13. The receptacle assemblies 12 and 13 are structurally identical except that they are mirror images of one another since assembly 12 is hingedly connected to the left sidewall 24 whereas assembly 13 is hingedly connected to the right sidewall 26. Thus, only the receptacle assembly 12 will be described in detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receptacle assembly 12 comprises a vertically extending cylindrical bag holder or receptacle 32 mounted on a swingable platform 33. Platform 33 is connected to the left sidewall 24 by hinge assemblies 34 for permitting the platform 33 to be horizontally swingably moved from a closed filling position (indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 2) to an open unloading position (indicated in solid lines in FIG. 2). The platform 33 is movable through an angle of approximately 180 in moving between its open and closed positions.

The swingable platform 33 includes a bottom wall 36, a front panel or door 37, and a side panel 38. The bag holder 32 is mounted on the platform 33 and comprises a pair of arcuate, preferably substantially semicylindrical sections 41 and 42 pivotally connected by a hinge 43. The section 42 is horizontally swingable, whereas the section 41 is fixedly secured to the platform 33 by any suitable means. Latching devices 44 are provided forfixedly connecting the sections 41 and 42 in opposed abutting relationship.

A disposable waste receiving container, such as a vertically elongated, flexible plastic bag (not shown), is preferably. positioned within the receptacle 32 with the free upper edge of the bag being folded outwardly over the upper edge of the receptacle 32. The upper edge of receptacle 32 is preferably provided with a channelshaped bag gripping member (not shown) constructed of a nonmetallic material, such as plastic or rubber, and provided with a roughened or serrated outer surface. The bag edge, when folded over into contact with the gripping member, will thus be tightly gripped to thereby hold the bag securely suspended within the receptacle 32.

The receptacle assembly 13, as mentioned above, is structurally identical to the receptacleassembly 12 except that it is a mirror image thereof. Thus, the corresponding parts-of the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13 have been identified by the same referencenumerals. The receptacle assembly 13 is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, hingedly connected to the right sidewall 26 by a pair of hinge assemblies 39, which hinge assemblies are struc turally identical to the hinge assemblies 34 except that they are also mirror images of one another. The details of the hinge assemblies are explained hereinafter.

Disposed directly above the upper ends of the receptacles 32 .is the waste hopper which includes a rectangular portion positioned withinthe cabinet and extending between the sidewalls thereof. The hopper 14 is supported on the cabinet 11 by a shoulder (not shown) which extends around the interior of the cabinet. The hopper 14. has a pair of discharge openings (not shown) disposed directly over the individual receptacles 32, which discharge openings are preferably slightly smaller in diameter than the receptacles 32 to insure that all waste will be deposited into the bags suspended within the receptacles 32.

The waste deposited into the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13 is compacted by the ram assemblies 16 and 17, respectively, which ram assemblies are respectively aligned with the discharge openings formed in the hopper 14 for permitting the ram assemblies to extend therethrough. The ram assemblies 16 and 17 are identical and each includes a double-acting telescoping fluid pressure cylinder (not shown) having a compacting shoe 46 fixedly secured on the lower end thereof. The compacting shoe 46 has a maximum diameter substantially less than the internal diameter than the receptacle 32, and is also preferably provided with a flexible safety shield 47 thereon, as explained in detail in my copending application Ser. No. 161 739. The structural details of the ram assemblies, and of the fluid pressure control system associated therewith, is explained in detail in copending application Ser. No. 232,472, and thus further description thereof is not believed necessary.

Considering now the hinge assembly 39, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-10, same includes a pair of stationary hinge elements 51 and 52 fixedly secured, as by screws (not shown), to the inner surface of the sidewall 26 adjacent the forward edge thereof. The hinge elements 51 and 52 support thereon a substantially vertically extending hinge pin 53. An elongated movable hinge member 54 is fixedly secured, as by screws (not shown), to the front surface of the front panel 37 adjacent the edge thereof. Hinge member 54 has an opening extending longitudinally thereof through which extends the hinge pin 53, whereby the hinge member 54 and the platform 33 connected thereto are thus swingable horizontally about the vertically extending axis of the hinge pin 53. The hinge member 54 has an axial length less than the vertical spacing between the stationary hinge elements 51 and 52, whereby the hinge member 54 can thus be vertically moved longitudinally of the hinge pin 53 through a predetermined distance.

The movable-hinge member 54 is provided with a stepped or shouldered configuration of the lower end thereof, which results in the formation of a pair of vertically spaced end surfaces 56 and 57. The end surfaces 56 and 57, which are substantially horizontal and parallel, are interconnected by a vertical surface 58 which is disposed substantially within a vertical plane containing therein the longitudinally extending axis of the hinge pin 53. v

The upper end of the lower stationary hinge element 52 is also provided with a stepped profile thereon positioned for coaction with the stepped profile formed on the lower end of the rotatable hinge member 54'. The fixed hinge element 52, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, has a pair of vertically spaced end surfaces 61 and 62 interconnected by a substantially vertical surface 63. The end surfaces 61 and 62 are substantially horizontal and parallel, and are vertically spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the vertical spacing between the end surfaces 56 and 57 formed on the movable hinge member 54. The vertical surface 63 is, like the surface 58, also preferably disposed within a vertical plane which substantially contains therein the longitudinally extending axis of the hinge pin 53.

The hinge assemblies 39 are normally disposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 when the receptacle assembly 13 is in its loading position (as illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2), whereby the stepped end portions of the hinge members 52 and 54 axially overlap to thus prevent the receptacle assembly 13 from being swung (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) into its open or unloading position.

The hinge assemblies 34 associated with the receptacle assembly 12 are structurally identical to the hinge assemblies 39 but are mirror images thereof so as to prevent the receptacle assembly 12, when in its loading position illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 2, from being swung outwardly (clockwise in FIG. 2) into its open or unloading position.

To permit release'of the hinge assemblies 34 and 39 to facilitate swinging of the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13 into their open positions, the compacting device is additionally provided with foot-actuated release devices 66 and 67 associated with the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13, respectively. The release devices 66 and 67 are structurally identical, and thus only the device 67 will be described in detail.

The release device 67, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, is mounted on the receptacle assembly adjacent the lower outer corner thereof, closely adjacent the lowermost hinge assembly 39, and is positioned to project outwardly over the forwardly projecting portion 22A of the cabinet floor 22. The release device 67 includes an elongated platelike actuating lever 69 which has a hinge portion 71 adjacent one end thereof and a foot engaging portion 42 adjacent the other end thereof. The hinge portion 71 and foot engaging portion 72 are fixedly, here integrally, connected to one another and are also angularly positioned relative to one another to result in the formation of a fulcrum 73 substantially at the junction of the portions 71 and 72. The lever 69 is preferably formed from a piece of flat platelike material, whereupon the platelike material is than suitably bent into a shallow V-shaped form to thereby result in the angularly inclined portions 71 and 72, with the external apex of the V-shaped lever, at the line of'bending, constituting the fulcrum 73.

The free end of the hinge portion 71 is positioned between the arms of a U-shaped mounting member 76 and is suitably hingedly connected thereto by means of a substantially horizontal hinge pin 74. The mounting member 76 is in turn fixedly secured to the front side of the front panel 37 by any suitable structure, such as screws 77.

The mounting member 76, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, is disposed closely adjacent the lower edge of the front panel 37 and is positioned closely adjacent but slightly spaced from the hinge assembly 39. This positioning of the mounting member 76 causes the hinge pin 74 to be disposed closely adjacent, but spaced slightly upwardly from, the lower edge of the panel 37, which in turn results in the platelike hinge portion 71 being disposed substantially directly adjacent the upper surface of the cabinet floor 22 when the floor 36 of the swingable receptacle is seated on the cabinet floor 22. Further, the hinge pin 74, which permits the actuating lever 69 to pivot relative to the swingable platform 33, defines a substantially horizontal pivot axis which is substantially parallel to but laterally spaced by a substantial distance from the fulcrum 73, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. While the purpose of this relationship is believed evident from inspection of the drawings, nevertheless same will be described in detail hereinafter.

OPERATION The operation of the device embodying the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow for a better understanding thereof.

To utilize the compacting device 10, the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13 are initially disposed in their closed filling position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the solid line position of receptacle assembly 13. Each of the receptacle assemblies will have a disposable container, such as a plastic bag suspended therein. An operator will then deposit substantial quantities of waste or trash into the hopper 14, which trash will fall through the discharge openings in the hopper into the bags contained within the receptacles 32. After sufficient waste has been deposited into the device to substantially but loosely fill the individual bags, the operator will then actuate the machine to cause pressure fluid to be supplied to the pressure cylinders associated with the ram assemblies 16 and 17, which ram assemblies will then be alternately actuated to extend into the interiors of the receptacles for compacting the waste therein.

When the receptacle assemblies 12 and 13 are disposed in their filling positions, the floor 36 of the swingable platform 33 will be seated directly on the upper surface of the cabinet floor 22, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to thus insure that the compacting forces imposed on the receptacles by the ram assemblies will be transmitted directly through the receptacle assemblies onto the cabinet floor 22. This thus prevents undesirable twisting or distortion causing forces from being imposed either on the receptacle assembly or on the mounting hinges. Further, to insure that the compacting forces are transmitted directly to the floor, the mounting hinge assemblies, as illustrated in FIG. 6, are positioned so that at least limited axial clearance exists between the hinge member 54 and the lower stationary hinge part 52 when the receptacle is in its filling position.

However, with the hinge assembly 39 positioned as illustrated in FIG. 6, the stepped portions of the hinge parts 52 and 54 axially overlap so that the vertical surfaces 58 and 63 are disposed directly adjacent and overlapping one another. Thus, this overlapping relationship between the surfaces 58 and 63 positively prevent rotation of the rotatable hinge member 54 so that the receptacle assembly 13 is positively nonrotatably locked in position when same is seated on the cabinet floor.

After the bag contained within the receptacle assembly I3 is substantially filled with trash, then the operator will apply a force to the actuating lever-6 9, such as by stepping on the portion 72, which force will cause the lever 69 to pivot (clockwise in FIG. 4) about the fulcrum 73, causing the foot portion 72 of the lever to move downwardly into the position illustrated in FIG.

5 whereby the foot portion 72 is disposed directly adjacent the floor portion 22A. This pivoting movement of the lever 69 causes the hinge portion 72 to pivot upwardly about the fulcrum 73, whereby the hinge pin 74 is moved upwardly away from the cabinet floor 22 into the position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 5. This causes a corresponding vertical lifting movement of the receptacle assembly 13 so that the fioor 36 of the receptacle assembly is thus spaced upwardly a predetermined distance from the cabinet floor 22. This upward movement of the receptacle assembly also causes the hinge part 54 to be moved upwardly so that it assumes the position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 7, in which position the lowermost end surface 57 is spaced above the uppermost end surface 61 of the lower stationary hinge part 52. It should be noted that the vertical lifting of the receptacle assembly, even when filled with compacted waste, is relatively easy since the lifting is facilitated by the mechanical advantage provided by the lever 69. For this purpose, the foot portion 72 has a length substantially greater than the spacing between the hinge pin 74 and the fulcrum 73,-thereby providing a substantial mechanical advantage so that a relatively small force applied to the foot portion 72 adjacent the free end thereof will be effective in lifting the filled receptacle 13.

After the receptacle assembly 13 has been moved vertically upwardly into he position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 5, and with the operators foot still in engagement with the lever 67 to maintain same in the solid line position of FIG. 5, the operator will then manually grasp the receptacle assembly 13 and manually swing same outwardly (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) towards its open position. After the receptacle assembly 13 has been swung outwardly through a Small angle, such as through an angle of between 10 and 20, the hinge member 54 is positioned so that its lowermost end surface 57 is disposed so as to at least partially overlap the uppermost end surface 61 formed on the hinge part 52. The operator can then remove his foot from the lever 69, whereupon the weight of the receptacle assembly 13 will causeit to move vertically downwardly a limited amount until the end surface 57 of hinge member 54 engages the end surface 61 of hinge part 62, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 8. With the hinge assemblies 39 disposed as illustrated in FIG. 8, the lower surface of the platform floor 36 will thus have moved downwardly so as to assume the position illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 5, which position is still spaced upwardly from the cabinet floor 22. Further, the small downward movement of the floor 36 from the solid line position to the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 5 also causes the lever 69 to pivot (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) about the fulcrum 73 so that the foot portion 72 is thus raised upwardly into the dotted line position of FIG. 5, whereby it is thus disposed out of engagement with the floor 22A. This thus minimizes the frictional contact between the lever 69 and the floor 22A as the receptacle is being swung into its open position.

After the operator has removed his foot from the lever 69, he can then step back out of the way so as to then permit him to manually swing the receptacle into its fully open position. During the continued swinging movement of the receptacle assembly to its open position, the weight of the receptacle assembly is transmitted to the cabinet due to the bearing engagement between the surfaces 57 and 61.

After the receptacle assembly has been moved into its open position, the receptacle section 41 and 42 can then be opened into the position illustrated in FIG. 2, in which position the filled plastic bag can be moved laterally off the platform 33, whereupon the semicylindrical sections are again closed to permit a new plastic bag to be suspended therein. The operator will then swing the receptacle assembly inwardly toward its filling position. When the empty receptacle assembly has again reached its filling position, as illustrated by the solid line position of the receptacle assembly 13 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge member 54 will be disposed in the position illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 7, whereupon the weight of the receptacle assembly 13 will then cause it to drop vertically downwardly onto the floor 22, which in turn will cause the hinge member 54 to also be moved downwardly to thus reassume the position illustrated in FIG. 6, in which position the hinge member 54 is again nonrotatably locked relative to the hinge part 52. When the receptacle assembly 13 drops downwardly into engagement with the cabinet floor 22, this automatically cause the lever 69 to reassume its elevated position as illustrated in FIG. 4.

While the operation set forth above has related primarily to the receptacle assembly 13, and particularly to the manner in which the release device 67 and hinge assemblies 39 coact therewith, nevertheless it will be readily apparent that the hinge assemblies 34 and the release device 66 coact with the receptacle assembly 12 in an identical manner.

Also, while the drawings and description relate to a two-station compacting device, the invention is likewise applicable to a single station compacting device.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a waste compactor having a housing, receptacle means coacting with the housing for holding a disposable container. adapted to have waste deposited and compacted therein, said receptacle means including a substantially vertically extending receptacle member having an upwardly directed opening therein, hinge means connected between said receptacle means and said housing for permitting substantially horizontal swinging movement of said receptacle means between a first position wherein the disposable container is fillable with waste and a second position permitting removal of a filled disposable container, said housing having support floor means positioned under said receptacle means when same is in said first position, and extendible ram means mounted on said housing for compacting waste within said disposable container, said ram means being disposed above and substantially aligned with said receptacle means when same is in said first position, comprising the improvement wherein:

said hinge means includes a stationary hinge element fixedly interconnected to said housing and a rotatable hinge element fixedly connected to said receptacle means, and hinge pin means coacting between said stationary and rotatable hinge elements for permitting relative pivotal movement therebetween about a substantially vertically extending axis;

said hinge means including coacting support surfaces formed on said stationary and rotatable hinge elements and disposed for sliding engagement for permitting free swinging movement of said receptacle means between said first and second positions and for maintaining said receptacle means spaced upwardly from and out of engagement with said support floor means;

said hinge means further including means coacting between said stationary and rotatable hinge elements for permitting downward vertical movement of said receptacle means when same is in said first position for enabling said receptacle means to seat on said support floor means, said coacting means preventing swinging movement of said receptacle means when same is seated on said support floor means; and

manually-actuatable release means coacting'between said receptacle means and said housing for permitting said receptacle means to be vertically moved upwardly out of engagement with said support floor means and for releasing said coacting means whereby said receptacle means can be freely swingably moved away from said first position.

2. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said release means includes a manually-actuatable lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle means for pivotal movement within a substantially vertical plane, and fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said cabinet at a location spaced from the hinge axis of said lever for permitting vertical displacement of said receptacle means in response to pivotal movement of said lever.

3. A waste compactor according to claim 2, wherein said lever is pivotally connected to said receptacle means adjacent the lower end thereof and is positioned directly above said support floor means, and said fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said support floor means whereby said lever is positioned so as to be foot actuated.

4. A waste compactor according to claim 3, wherein said lever includes first and second platelike portions fixedly connected together, said platelike portions being angularly inclined relative to one another, one of said platelike portions being hingedly connected to said receptacle means adjacent the free end thereof, and said fulcrum means being defined substantially by the intersection of the lowermost surfaces of said first and second platelike portions.

5. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said stationary and rotatable hinge elements include opposed axially extending end portions having a stepped configuration, said stepped end portions axially overlapping one another when said receptacle means is seated on said support floor means for preventing horizontal swinging movement of said receptacle means, said stepped portions being positioned in a nonoverlapping but axially abutting relationship with respect to one another when said receptacle means is horizontally swung between said first and second positions.

6. A waste compactor according to claim 5, wherein said release means includes a manually-actuatable lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle means for pivotal movement within a substantially vertical plane, and fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said cabinet at a location spaced from the hinge axis of said lever for permitting vertical displacement of said receptacle means in response to pivotal movement of said lever.

7. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said stationary hinge element is provided with a pair of upwardly facing substantially horizontal surfaces laterally and vertically spaced from one another, said fixed hinge member also having a substantially vertical abutment surface extending between and interconnecting said horizontal surfaces;

said rotatable hinge element being positioned above and movable vertically relative to said stationary hinge element, said rotatable hinge element having a pair of downwardly facing substantially horizontal surfaces which are laterally and vertically spaced relative to one another, said movable hinge element also having a substantially vertically extending abutment surface extending between said horizontal surfaces; and

said hinge pin means extending vertically between said stationary and rotatable hinge elements and slidably guiding one of said hinge elements for permitting vertical movement of said rotatable hinge element relative to said stationary hinge element, the vertical surfaces on said stationary and rotatable hinge elements lying within vertical planes positioned closely adjacent the longitudinal axis of said hinge pin means.

8. A waste compactor according to claim 7, wherein said release means includes a manually-actuatable lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle means for pivotal movement within a substantially vertical plane, and fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said cabinet at a location spaced from the hinge axis of said lever for permitting vertical displacement of said receptacle means in response to pivotal movement of said lever.

9. A waste compactor according to claim 8, wherein said lever is pivotally connected to said receptacle means adjacent the lower end thereof and is positioned directly above said support floor means, and said fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said support floor means whereby said lever is positioned to be foot actuated. 

1. In a waste compactor having a housing, receptacle means coacting with the housing for holding a disposable container adapted to have waste deposited and compacted therein, said receptacle means including a substantially vertically extending receptacle member having an upwardly directed opening therein, hinge means connected between said receptacle means and said housing for permitting substantially horizontal swinging movement of said receptacle means between a first position wherein the disposable container is fillable with waste and a second position permitting removal of a filled disposable container, said housing having support floor means positioned under said receptacle means when same is in said first position, and extendible ram means mounted on said housing for compacting waste within said disposable container, said ram means being disposed above and substantially aligned with said receptacle means when same is in said first position, comprising the improvement wherein: said hinge means includes a stationary hinge element fixedly interconnected to said housing and a rotatable hinge element fixedly connected to said receptacle means, and hinge pin means coacting between said stationary and rotatable hinge elements for permitting relative pivotal movement therebetween about a substantially vertically extending axis; said hinge means including coacting support surfaces formed on said stationary and rotatable hinge elements and disposed for sliding engagement for permitting free swinging movement of said receptacle means between said first and second positions and for maintaining said receptacle means spaced upwardly from and out of engagement with said support floor means; said hinge means further including means coacting betweEn said stationary and rotatable hinge elements for permitting downward vertical movement of said receptacle means when same is in said first position for enabling said receptacle means to seat on said support floor means, said coacting means preventing swinging movement of said receptacle means when same is seated on said support floor means; and manually-actuatable release means coacting between said receptacle means and said housing for permitting said receptacle means to be vertically moved upwardly out of engagement with said support floor means and for releasing said coacting means whereby said receptacle means can be freely swingably moved away from said first position.
 2. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said release means includes a manually-actuatable lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle means for pivotal movement within a substantially vertical plane, and fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said cabinet at a location spaced from the hinge axis of said lever for permitting vertical displacement of said receptacle means in response to pivotal movement of said lever.
 3. A waste compactor according to claim 2, wherein said lever is pivotally connected to said receptacle means adjacent the lower end thereof and is positioned directly above said support floor means, and said fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said support floor means whereby said lever is positioned so as to be foot actuated.
 4. A waste compactor according to claim 3, wherein said lever includes first and second platelike portions fixedly connected together, said platelike portions being angularly inclined relative to one another, one of said platelike portions being hingedly connected to said receptacle means adjacent the free end thereof, and said fulcrum means being defined substantially by the intersection of the lowermost surfaces of said first and second platelike portions.
 5. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said stationary and rotatable hinge elements include opposed axially extending end portions having a stepped configuration, said stepped end portions axially overlapping one another when said receptacle means is seated on said support floor means for preventing horizontal swinging movement of said receptacle means, said stepped portions being positioned in a nonoverlapping but axially abutting relationship with respect to one another when said receptacle means is horizontally swung between said first and second positions.
 6. A waste compactor according to claim 5, wherein said release means includes a manually-actuatable lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle means for pivotal movement within a substantially vertical plane, and fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said cabinet at a location spaced from the hinge axis of said lever for permitting vertical displacement of said receptacle means in response to pivotal movement of said lever.
 7. A waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said stationary hinge element is provided with a pair of upwardly facing substantially horizontal surfaces laterally and vertically spaced from one another, said fixed hinge member also having a substantially vertical abutment surface extending between and interconnecting said horizontal surfaces; said rotatable hinge element being positioned above and movable vertically relative to said stationary hinge element, said rotatable hinge element having a pair of downwardly facing substantially horizontal surfaces which are laterally and vertically spaced relative to one another, said movable hinge element also having a substantially vertically extending abutment surface extending between said horizontal surfaces; and said hinge pin means extending vertically between said stationary and rotatable hinge elements and slidably guiding one of said hinge elements for permitting vertical movement of said rotatable hinge element relative to said stationary hinge element, the vertical surfaces on said stationary and rotatable hInge elements lying within vertical planes positioned closely adjacent the longitudinal axis of said hinge pin means.
 8. A waste compactor according to claim 7, wherein said release means includes a manually-actuatable lever pivotally mounted on said receptacle means for pivotal movement within a substantially vertical plane, and fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said cabinet at a location spaced from the hinge axis of said lever for permitting vertical displacement of said receptacle means in response to pivotal movement of said lever.
 9. A waste compactor according to claim 8, wherein said lever is pivotally connected to said receptacle means adjacent the lower end thereof and is positioned directly above said support floor means, and said fulcrum means coacting between said lever and said support floor means whereby said lever is positioned to be foot actuated. 